What is a Texas Gray-Collar Crime?

 Posted on July 10, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Most of us have heard of blue-collar and white-collar crimes. Blue-collar crimes are often committed by people of the middle or lower class. Crimes designated as "blue-collar" are often physical and may be aimed at specific businesses or people. Criminal offenses like assault, drug crimes, and theft usually have a clear victim and a clear perpetrator and benefit from a strong criminal defense.

In contrast, white-collar crimes are often—but not always—committed by someone who works in an upper-class position. The person who commits a white-collar crime is usually in a position of trust and power, and there is rarely an obvious victim. White-collar crimes include embezzlement, bribery, internet crimes, fraud, money laundering, and more, and are often tried in federal court.

While these are the most common "colors" of crime, there are many more that few of us have heard of, including "gray-collar crime." If you are being accused of any color of crime, it is essential that you speak to a Floresville criminal defense attorney who is experienced in all types of criminal law. Your lawyer will assess your charges and clearly lay out your options.

What is Gray-Collar Crime?

While blue-collar and white-collar crimes cover most criminal offenses, when an offense shares characteristics from both categories and then adds in a distinguishing characteristic for good measure, you have a gray-collar crime. Gray-collar occupations include healthcare professionals (aside from doctors and surgeons), electricians, firefighters, flight attendants, and police officers. This group falls between white and blue-collar workers, and the term is occasionally used to describe elderly workers who work beyond retirement.

In some cases, gray-collar work is an intermediary position between blue and white-collar work. Gray-collar workers may have certificates from a trade or technical school, an associate degree, or a supervisory position over those who perform manual labor. While a blue-collar worker may train for a number of weeks, most gray-collar workers already have specific knowledge and skill sets.  

Like white-collar criminals, gray-collar criminals usually never meet their victims face to face. This means most gray-collar crimes are committed by someone behind a computer. White-collar crimes usually target companies or corporations, while gray-collar crimes are more likely to target a single person. Stealing money from a person’s online account, stealing another’s information to use their identity to steal money or gain other benefits, or pretending to be someone else online are all gray-collar crimes.

Are There Other Colors of Crime?

Interestingly, there are additional colors of crime that describe both the criminal act itself and the socioeconomic status of the person committing the crime.

• Red-collar crime is an offense that begins as a white-collar crime in that it has no clear victim. But while this crime is being committed, something goes wrong, and a blue-collar crime (like kidnapping) is used to cover up the original crime, resulting in a red-collar crime.
• Orange-collar crime is a "subset" of blue-collar crime and is perpetrated by those who perform manual labor, so use the tools of their trade to target a client and commit the crime. Orange-collar crimes usually involve burglary, robbery, and theft.  
• Green-collar crimes are those that involve a criminal activity for profit that damages or destroys the environment. Burying hazardous waste or illegally trading exotic animals are green-collar crimes that could be committed by anyone from any socioeconomic status.
• Black-collar crime is used unofficially to describe crimes committed by priests or the clergy. The actual crimes could range from embezzlement to theft to child molestation.

Regardless of how the police or prosecutors privately classify a crime, the penalties for these criminal offenses—regardless of who commits them—are meant to be the same.

Call to Schedule Your Free Consultation with an Experienced Wilson County, TX Lawyer

Anyone facing criminal charges in Texas must have a vigorous defense to avoid harsh penalties, including time in jail or prison and extremely high fines. A skilled Floresville, TX criminal defense attorney can assess your charges and the circumstances of your arrest, then begin building a solid defense that will allow you to achieve the best outcome possible. Call BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys today at 830-769-1010 to speak to a knowledgeable attorney.